The final copy of H.R. 4098, introduced by Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn has been made available.  The bill, introduced last week calls for the removal of the current HIO system and replaces it with a single, independent HIO.  The single, independent HIO follows the recommendation of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

The bill also puts in place objective, science-based inspection protocols instead of the current subjective protocols used.  The legislation was introduced with all of Blackburn’s fellow Republicans from Tennessee as co-sponsors as well as Hal Rogers and Andy Barr from Kentucky. Also, Nick Rahall from West Virginia was an original co-sponsor.